Spanish automotive interiors supplier Grupo Antolin has entered into a partnership with China’s HiRain Technologies to develop new interior and exterior lighting solutions.

Headquartered in Beijing, HiRain is a major Chinese automotive electronics company which has previously helped Grupo Antolin grow its lighting business in China, a Feb. 21 joint statement by the two companies said.

This latest partnership includes a new interior light feature described as “advanced dynamic ambient lighting”, which is expected to hit the Chinese market this year.

The project will combine HiRain’s technological expertise and core electronic components know-how with Grupo Antolin’s system integration technology, to develop “the most advanced lighting multiproduct portfolio” in the market.

“The fast-pacing environment and upcoming challenges in the automotive industry such as autonomous vehicle, electrification and weight reduction will bring a lot of opportunities for our interiors business,” explained Ernesto Antolin, chairman of Grupo Antolin.

The Spanish company sees itself as a “smart integrator”, using its expertise to build intelligence into the interior parts of a car by incorporating electronics, sensors, cameras and displays into its existing product range to meet the requirements of the vehicle of the future.

“In light of new market trends and cost efficiency driven industry, increasing the added-value of automotive components through innovation and integration is crucial to grow as leading automotive player,” commented Dr. Zhanning Qi, AE president of HiRain Technologies.

By integrating lighting solutions into automotive parts, the two companies will reduce weight and cost, he added.